Chapter 6 She was practically asking for trouble by leaving the other person waiting for her at the banquet…
Bai Ye only hoped that Yi Sheng's words were just business politeness.
Words like "see you later" and "return invitation" are far removed from her vocabulary.
Unlike many children, Bai Yeke grew up without many relatives to visit, and her mother relied on her stepfather for support, keeping her at home and having few friends. She was unaware of the way her parents' generation lived.
Therefore, Bai Ye could only see her stepfather's ups and downs among relatives and friends, but her stepfather looked down on her and would not take her to any occasions.
During her student days, she was indeed introverted, and she only had one or two close friends at each stage. Since starting work, she has been a complete newcomer and there are no social occasions that require her to attend.
Bai Yeke keeps her distance from the social norms of drinking parties and the workplace, and even seems to find them somewhat ambiguous and distorted.
Her stepfather looked down on her and would occasionally make sarcastic remarks, saying things like, "You're so bad at talking and don't have any friends. How will you manage when you enter society?"
The mother also became anxious.
Most of Bai Yeke's friends are like her, but He Xin, her colleague who has now joined "Santen", is quite dismissive of this, saying, "You're an i person, and I'm an e person. What's wrong with that? We'll definitely be good friends in the future. Our personalities complement each other, which is great!"
That seems to be true.
Bai Ye didn't feel uncomfortable making friends with an extrovert like He Xin. She would take Bai Ye to explore shops and occasionally treat her to a nice meal on her days off.
Many times she would think, so what if I don't understand those social niceties? Anyway, she's a designer, not a manager, so she can just focus on design.
But Yi Sheng's appearance has really made Bai Ye a little tired...
Just like now, Bai Yeke was off work on Monday and was called home. The reason for the call was that it was her stepfather's cousin's birthday, and the whole family needed to go together later.
In the past, the stepfather would not take Bai Yeke with him in this situation, but now he tries to take her with him as much as possible, because his daughter is grown up and it's time for her to get married.
Yes, Bai Yeke's introverted nature in the eyes of her elders, and her well-behaved nature, which was a strength during her school days, have now become fatal flaws.
It's difficult for her to meet boys, so she has to rely on her family to arrange things for her.
The stepfather always said that it was troubling him, and the mother always felt guilty.
"Sigh, I wish you could find a good boy yourself."
"It's not your fault, it's not your fault, Mom is just like that too."
Whenever her mother said that, Bai Ye felt disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly, when she saw her stepfather smiling contemptuously.
Unfortunately, she's not good with words, and she's truly living under someone else's roof, so she has no way to fight back.
Bai Yeke was somewhat reluctant to attend a birthday party with almost complete strangers and was secretly annoyed.
My phone vibrated.
Since that dinner, Yi Sheng has not contacted her again.
This search is another headache.
A life of simplicity: What are you doing?
Bai Ye stared at the screen, always feeling that only close friends or lovers would suddenly use this phrase.
If anyone else did this, it would inexplicably evoke a sense of offense or aggression.
Facing Yi Sheng, this person named Bai Yeke who caused her headaches, she didn't feel uncomfortable, but she was just confused.
This isn't a work-related issue, is it?
Coconut Cola: Getting ready to go out for dinner.
At this time, Yi Sheng had just woken up due to jet lag and was preparing to eat.
Oh, right, I still owe you a meal.
Yi Sheng frowned as he looked at the words he had typed, then deleted them.
Are we friends now?
Yi Sheng felt that they had all eaten together privately, so by general definition they could be considered friends... although Yi Sheng didn't have many friends and found it difficult to consider people as friends, and although there was a businessperson present at that private dinner.
Five seconds later, Yi Sheng deleted it again.
A life of simplicity: I'm about to eat too.
Bai Ye stared at her phone for a minute before receiving this reply.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Miss Yi likes to exchange daily routines with people from time to time?
Coconut Cola: Okay.
Bai Ye put away her phone and left her room in response to her mother's call.
"Sigh." Her stepfather sighed with dissatisfaction when he saw her.
When Bai Ye works, the store does have dress requirements for them, requiring them to be as fashionable and sophisticated as possible.
But on her days off, she switched to a comfortable, casual style.
In her stepfather's eyes, that was just rustic and unsophisticated.
Mom looked a little anxious. "Xiao Ke, you're at the age where you're full of energy. Change your outfit."
The phrase "full of youthful vigor" refers to the presence of pink (a type of pink).
Black, white, and gray are the opposites of vibrant and energetic.
Bai Ye has never had the habit of engaging in pointless arguments with her elders. Whatever, it's a waste of breath and affects her mood, and in the end, she can't go against them.
Back in her bedroom, Bai Ye quickly changed into a light purple shirt and beige trousers, and tied her hair into a high ponytail.
She glanced at her glasses and looked very "energetic".
The birthday banquet was a grand affair; the huge private room even had four dining tables.
The tables were divided into two groups: one group of people drinking alcohol and two groups of people not drinking alcohol.
When her stepfather glanced at her, seemingly hesitating about which table to put her at, Bai Ye immediately adopted an introverted demeanor and a timid look in her eyes.
Sure enough, the next second her stepfather's eyes showed deep contempt. Without further hesitation, he waved his hand and sent her to the table where no one drank alcohol.
I don't know if it's because these people are all really close friends and family, or if everyone is good at being charming and getting along well with each other, but anyway, every table was bustling with activity.
Bai Ye didn't know anyone sitting at his table, so he had no intention of saying anything.
No, there probably are.
Someone greeted Bai Yeke, "Hey, it's been a long time!"
"I heard you graduated?"
Where do you work?
...
Bai Yeke smiled and nodded in agreement, "Ah, yes, I do design, that's right, I'm working in my profession."
She didn't really recognize these faces. She guessed she'd seen them once or twice before, but since they were from her stepfather's side, she probably hadn't really paid attention back then, so she didn't remember.
After a brief greeting, because Bai Ye only answered politely but wasn't as enthusiastic as them and didn't start any new topics, they soon smiled and turned to other people.
As the meal progressed, everyone became more active, grabbing their glasses and drinking everywhere. Even the table that didn't drink alcohol would occasionally raise their drinks in return.
"My daughter is quiet, but she's a very well-behaved person!"
Bai Ye had a bad feeling whenever her stepfather started yelling.
"Hiccup." The stepfather let out a deep hiccup. "Any promising young men you know, you should think more about her!"
"This child is handsome!"
"Oh my, what a well-behaved child!"
"This isn't very big, is it?"
"I heard he just graduated not long ago!"
...
Bai Ye could be stared at in the crowd, and it would be impolite not to touch her chopsticks again, but she didn't have anything to say, and besides, she couldn't say anything in this situation.
She could only sit quietly, waiting for her stepfather's drunken hiccups to subside and the conversation to change before she could continue eating.
“Sigh, she’s not young anymore!” The stepfather frowned and said to relatives and friends, “In our generation, people her age would already have children of several years old!”
“Times have changed!” one young person couldn’t help but say.
"That's not true. Many people get engaged early these days, they just wait until graduation to get married!" the stepfather retorted. "Girls should get married early. What's the point of staying at home all day? If you don't find someone now, you'll be an old maid and we'll be stuck with you!"
Many people agreed with this, especially the older generation, saying, "Yes, when you're young, you can choose others, but when you're an old maid, others will choose you!"
Among the young people, there were two groups: one group of boys who strongly agreed, and some girls who were eager to get married also thought so; the other group of girls who disagreed.
But with their numbers overwhelming them, their voices were drowned out by the loud voices of those around them.
The girls' faces showed anger and disdain. Some turned away and tried to leave, but their elders pulled them back to their chairs.
Oh.
Bai Yeke understood the situation very well, which was why she always wanted to leave home as soon as possible.
"Hey! My nephew, Zheng Xiao!" Amidst the clashing opinions, someone still remembered the important matter: "He's truly a fine young man!"
A man, about 50 years old, raised his hand.
He then pointed to a young man a few seats away from him, "You two seem to get along well, right?"
The boy was also confused. He was suddenly called on, so he had no choice but to stand up. He adjusted his glasses and chuckled twice.
What a bad year!
Despite her frustration, Bai Ye could only stand up and nod to him politely.
"Boy, be more outgoing!" someone at the table immediately egged him on. "Go talk to your little sister, Xiao Ke, and take the initiative!"
Since it was a relative's banquet, the stepfather glanced at the boy named Zheng Xiao a few times but didn't ask any more questions.
Hi, hello!
Just as she feared, Zheng Xiao actually sat down next to her.
Bai Ye could only reply, "Hello."
"Let me introduce myself first." Zheng Xiao seemed to be encouraged by the suggestion to be more outgoing, and she started to talk non-stop, "I just graduated, about two years ago, and I'm helping out at home, working for my cousin."
"Oh, hehe." Bai Ye Keke didn't recognize those cousins.
"I usually like playing video games, and sometimes I read books," Zheng Xiao asked her. "What about you?"
Bai Yeke: "I'm about the same."
"Oh, hahaha." Zheng Xiao seemed very happy. "Then we'll definitely have a lot in common!"
He then launched into a rambling account of his gaming journey, even going so far as to recount in detail how his friend had sabotaged his game the previous night.
He's definitely a guy addicted to games.
Bai Ye heard that there is a group of boys on the market who don't exercise or go out, but they are not fat; on the contrary, they are very thin. These are the boys who are addicted to games.
Looking at him, he appears somewhat sickly, with dark circles under his eyes, as if he could collapse at the slightest push.
Just as Bai Yeke was getting drowsy from his one-sided rambling, a girl of similar age next to her came over, looking curious, "Handsome, how much do you earn now?"
This single sentence landed lightly, yet it seemed to press the pause button on Zheng Xiao's endless chatter.
Zheng Xiao's gentlemanly smile froze for a moment. "Uh, around five thousand."
girl:"……"
In this circle, most families have some money, so their children either earn money on their own or have family arrangements in place, working at some company and earning a decent salary.
The girl originally asked about annual income, but when she heard 5,000, it was clear that she was in the monthly income bracket, which completely surprised her.
Zheng Xiao felt frustrated.
He didn't want to rely on his family for money, so he asked for internships and gradually worked his way up to full-time positions.
He always believed that he could get a permanent position on his own merits, which made him far better than those incompetent and unambitious guys.
But at this moment, he couldn't say anything directly. Wouldn't it be like slapping someone in the face, especially a girl? He believed he had to maintain a gentlemanly demeanor.
"Well, I mainly help out at home, so I don't really care about the money," Zheng Xiao could only offer as an excuse.
The girl didn't care and turned to join in the fun elsewhere.
Zheng Xiao asked Bai Yeke, somewhat embarrassed, "And what about you?"
Bai Yeke honestly replied, "Uh, a little taller than you."
Zheng Xiao was speechless again, but felt that Bai Ye's job was probably arranged by her family.
Okay, he thought, this is not bad. It's enough for the girl to have a decent job before marriage. Anyway, she can't do much for at least a few years after she gets pregnant.
Therefore, talking to a woman about work and career is really foolish.
Zheng Xiao chuckled to himself, wondering how he had been led astray by the girl's train of thought.
"Is it at home or in the company?" Zheng Xiao regained his composure, feeling confident that he had the initiative, and began to probe for information about the girl.
"No," Bai Yeke said frankly. "My family is not related to my major, and I prefer to rely on myself."
Zheng Xiao felt as if she had been suddenly slapped in the face.
He looked very uncomfortable.
He's younger than him, and he's also self-reliant, yet he earns more than him.
Where does that leave his manly pride?
"Ha, haha." Zheng Xiao laughed twice, feigning nonchalance, and complimented, "Then you're really good."
Bai Ye smiled politely, not thinking that she had done anything particularly good.
If simply surviving is considered good enough, then one's life aspirations are far too low.
To cover up her embarrassment, Zheng Xiao deliberately praised, "Maybe he'll be the next Yi Sheng!"
...?
Bai Ye was surprised and even felt a bit absurd.
What makes her so special? To be the next Yi Sheng?
She had only met Yi Sheng twice, and the methods he displayed were just the tip of the iceberg. She was already completely impressed.
Even if you've never met Yi Sheng, you've surely heard about his deeds.
Do men really have to be this exaggerated?
Bai Yeke felt that as an individual, she had exhausted all her energy at this moment, and she really needed to leave and have some time alone to recover.
I wonder if it's too late to ask He Xin to call me and give me an excuse to run away?
Bai Ye was exhausted when a message came in on WeChat. She opened it and took a look.
A life of tranquility: When would you like to discuss the plan with me if you have some free time?
!
!!
!!
Bai Yeke was instantly injected with chicken blood, and his depleted mental energy forcefully released its remaining power.
What, you're free? The client is being generous, even letting the contractor have time to chat!
She'd be asking for trouble to leave him hanging until she had time.
really……
No wonder Yi Sheng asked what I was doing earlier; was she trying to ask about the plan then?
Bai Yeke glanced anxiously at Zheng Xiao across from her, and at her stepfather who was still drinking.
So, what should she do now?
A note from the author:
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